RALLY TO LAUNCH NATIONAL PROTESTS ON JOB INJUSTICE

MIAMI BEACH -- More than 10,000 workers, senior citizens and activists are expected to gather tonight at the Miami Beach Convention Center to protest against injustices in the workplace.

The "Jobs for Justice" rally will be the first in a nationwide series of demonstrations, said Frank Jackalone, state organizer for the Florida Consumers Federation.

Jackalone, a rally organizer, said the gathering would focus on what he calls "worker abuse." The victims include workers fired for unjust reasons, whose wages were cut or who work under stressful conditions, Jackalone said.

"The rally is to call people's attention to the problems and to get Congress to pass new legislation protecting working people," he said.

The rally is being organized by a coalition including the AFL-CIO, Florida Consumers Federation, women's groups and senior citizens' organizations.

"There's a feeling that more and more oppressive practices are taking place at the workplace," Jackalone said. "A crackdown has resulted because of corporate mergers, like Texas Air buying new airlines."

The rally will address problems experienced by Eastern Airlines workers, the divestment of AT&T; and resulting layoffs, as well as corporate mergers, Jackalone said.

He said that several "victims" of worker abuse would speak. Karen Clark, president of the Florida Consumers Federation, and Morton Barr, president of the Communication Workers of America also will speak.

Workers from Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Tampa and other Florida cities are being bused in for the rally, Jackalone said. Many Eastern flight attendants, machinists and pilots are expected to turn out.